Liquefied gas tank with breaking means for inflation of sealed compartments and bag for sealing cable ducts included in said tank

Abstract

Liquefied gas tank that is easy to machine and quick to operate and bag for sealing cable ducts incorporating said tank. The tank is provided with breaking means for inflating sealed compartments composed of a main pipe (1) closed on one side, an outlet pipe (4) inserted on the other side of the main tube through a first end (6) and closed on the distal end thereof, wherein the outlet pipe is provided with a narrowing (5) that defines a breaking point and an internal orifice (8) that extends from the first end of the outlet pipe to the narrowing (5) towards the distal end, and wherein the size of the narrowing (5), the size of the orifice (8) and the length of the outlet pipe (4) are determined such that a force applied on a lever of between 19N and 80N will break the outlet pipe (4) at the breaking point (5), releasing the gas through the orifice (8).

Claims

1. A liquefied gas tank for the inflation of sealed compartments comprising: a main pipe having opposite first and second ends and defining a tank volume filled with a liquefied gas; an outlet pipe having an open proximal end inserted into an opening at the first end of the main pipe, and a closed distal end opposite the proximal end; wherein the outlet pipe is provided with a narrowing region that defines a breaking point and an internal orifice that extends from the proximal end of the outlet pipe toward the distal end and through the breaking point at the narrowing region; and a stop in the form of an enlarged diameter region proximal to the narrowing region of the outlet pipe, wherein the stop diameter is larger than the opening at the first end of the main pipe such that the stop is prevented from insertion into the main pipe; wherein the size of the narrowing, the size of the orifice and the length of the outlet pipe are determined such that a torque on the outlet pipe of between 19N and 80N will break the outlet pipe at the breaking point, releasing the gas through the orifice.

2. The liquefied gas tank according to claim 1, wherein the main pipe is made of steel and the outlet pipe is made of aluminium.

3. The liquefied gas tank according to claim 1, wherein the filler gas is CO.sub.2.

4. The liquefied gas tank according to claim 1, wherein the cross section of the main pipe comprises a first constant cross section region proximate the first end and a second constant cross section region proximate the second end, wherein the first constant cross section is different from the first constant cross section.

5. The liquefied gas tank according to claim 1, wherein the main pipe or the outlet pipe is curved.

6. The liquefied gas tank according to claim 1, wherein an opening is formed at the second end of the main pipe and is configured to permit filling the tank volume of the main pipe with the liquefied gas, the gas tank further comprising a valve fitted into the opening at the second end of the main pipe.

7. The liquefied gas tank according to claim 1, wherein an opening is formed at the second end of the main pipe and is configured to permit filling the tank volume of the main pipe with the liquefied gas, the gas tank further comprising a sealing plug or ball to prevent escape of the liquefied gas.

8. The liquefied gas tank according to claim 1, further comprising an element for regulating the gas flow in the orifice.

9. The liquefied gas tank according to claim 8, wherein the gas flow regulating element comprises a rod or stud screwed in the orifice.

10. The liquefied gas tank according to claim 1, further comprising industrial oil applied to an interior of the main pipe.

11. The liquefied gas tank according to claim 1, further in combination with a bag comprising a sealed compartment for sealing cable ducts, wherein the tank is positioned inside of the bag.

12. A combination bag and liquefied gas tank for the inflation of sealed compartments comprising: a main pipe having opposite first and second ends and defining a tank volume adapted to be filled with a liquefied gas; an outlet pipe having an open proximal end inserted into an opening at the first end of the main pipe, and a closed distal end opposite the proximal end; wherein the outlet pipe is provided with a narrowing region that defines a breaking point and an internal orifice that extends from the proximal end of the outlet pipe toward the distal end and through the breaking point at the narrowing region; a stop in the form of an enlarged diameter region proximal to the narrowing region of the outlet pipe, wherein the stop diameter is larger than the opening at the first end of the main pipe such that the stop is prevented from insertion into the main pipe; and a bag comprising a sealed compartment for sealing cable ducts, wherein the bag is disposed around the tank.

13. The bag and liquefied gas tank according to claim 12, further comprising a sealing plug fitted into an opening at the second end of the main pipe and configured to prevent escape of the liquefied gas out of the tank volume.

14. The bag and liquefied gas tank according to claim 13, further comprising a valve fitted into the opening at the second end of the main pipe, inboard of the sealing plug, and configured to permit filling the tank volume of the main pipe with the liquefied gas prior to installation of the sealing plug.

15. The bag and liquefied gas tank according to claim 12, wherein the bag comprises a vacuum-sealed bag defining a depression.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) To aid a better understanding of the features of the invention according to a preferred embodiment thereof, the following description of a set of drawings is accompanied where, for purposes of illustration, the following is shown:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the invention according to a first embodiment.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment.

(5) FIG. 4 shows the two basic components of the invention in an assembled position.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a variation of the perimeter of the outlet pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) The two essential components of the invention are a main tubular element (1) and the part intended for the liquefied outlet mouth or outlet pipe (4). Both of these parts are tubular, preferably (but not necessarily) circular in cross section. The figures show how in one embodiment both parts are in a same plane. In another embodiment (not shown in the figures), one of the two parts can be curved to facilitate the breaking of the tank. The main element (1) is meant to contain a liquefied gas, such as a cooling gas, N.sub.2 or preferably CO.sub.2. The diameter of the pipe can change along the length thereof, defining different cross sections (2, 3). The cross sections can thus be adjusted to the volume of liquefied gas contained and the dimensions of the device that will expand. The pipe meant to house the outlet mouth (4) for the liquefied gas is closed on one end, while the other end (6) thereof has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the main element, such that the former can fit in the latter. Said end (6) can have a stop (7) and an inner orifice (8). The outlet pipe (4) has a narrowing or groove at the location of the breaking circumference or point (5).

(8) When inserted in the main pipe, the stop prevents the narrowing from being inside the main pipe. The inner orifice (8) extends towards the closed end and can protrude slightly from the narrowing. Accordingly, when the gas is needed to expand the device to which the tank is related, it is only necessary to apply a torque on the outlet pipe (4) such that the pipe breaks at its narrowest part (5); the end of the pipe (6) will thus be inside the main pipe (1) and the orifice (8) will be free, releasing the gas through the same. The tank is opened by one of the essential features of the invention in a quick and simple manner. A person skilled in the art will recognise multiple combinations of dimensions of the narrowing, orifice and length of the outlet pipe according to the materials used, such that applying a force between 19 and 80 N (a normal force applied by a person) will easily break the tank at the breaking point.

(9) The tank can be filled with liquefied gas through a valve (FIG. 2, ref. 9) that can remain inside the tank once the latter has been sealed with a plug (10) of ball. Alternatively, the valve may not be necessary if the filling is performed using a tool external to the device allowing to inject the liquefied gas and also to insert the ball in the end of the tank, acting as a sealing plug to prevent an undesired escape of the liquefied gas at the corresponding end.

(10) Preferably, the plug (10) and the end of the pipe (6) are inserted inside the main pipe (1) by riveting, welding or the like. Inside the orifice (8) of the outlet pipe (4) can be placed, optionally, an element to regulate the gas flow. This element can have the form of a small rod or stud, preferably screwed in the orifice (8), such that the liquefied gas is released more slowly and gradually, thereby preventing the risk of a sudden release of the gas. This element can also be formed as a pad, such as with an elliptical shape.

(11) The main pipe is made of steel and can withstand the pressure of the filler liquefied gas, which is approximately 55 bar (steel can withstand up to 350 bar). The outlet pipe (4) is made of aluminium.

(12) In a possible embodiment of the invention, the outlet pipe has a length of about 30 mm and a diameter slightly smaller than that of the main pipe, from 6 to 8 mm. This length and diameter provide an optimum supporting surface for breaking at the narrowing point (5), which is about 2 mm long and 2.75 mm wide. The thickness of material between the orifice and the narrowing is from 0.10 to 0.12 mm.

(13) A particularly practical application of the tank of the invention is in bags for sealing telephone or electrical cable ducts. In this case the tank is attached inside a bag which, when vacuum-sealed, causes a depression inside said bag such that the bag houses and contains the tank without requiring additional attachment means.

(14) During the manufacturing process of the tank the interior thereof can be impregnated with an industrial oil to prevent internal corrosion.

(15) The tank of the invention is easy to machine and assemble as it is made with parts having simple shapes. It does not require structurally complex parts or additional elements such as cords, carabiners, rings, ring tabs or the like neither inside the sealed compartment that it is intended for nor outside the same. This prevents any damage or accidental breaking thereof that may prevent the operation of the device itself. In addition, it is very easy to assemble, streamlining the production process.